White Ravens’99/Mali (French)/78520
Kulubali, Baabilen (text) 
 Aaron, Fatinia (illus.)
 Diyenkoroba ou Vieux-comme-le-monde
 (Diyenkoroba or As old as the world)
 Bamako: Donniya, 1997. 26pp
 ISBN 2-911741-07-2
 (Text in French and Bambara)
 God/Man - Illness - Healing - Ingratitude
 Ethical-religion instruction is the purpose of this 
 classical story about God when he travels the earth disquised as a vagabond and receives nothing but
 ingratitude from the people he heals of their illnesses. The only thankful person he encounters is rewarded
 with rich blessings. All the others are punished again with their old sufferings. In addition to the text in
 Bambara and French, citations from the Koran and the Bible are given in an appendix. The illustrations
 have dignity and brilliancy. The key scenes of the story are set in the foreground while in the background
 the leisurely rhythm of everyday life continues, women go about their tasks, children play their games. The
 daily habits, living styles and traditional garb of the Mali culture are made visible inobtrusively. The
 meticulous, artistic layout underscores the timeless wisdom of this legend. (8+) 

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